A dental implant is a small titanium post that replaces the root of a tooth. It can be used to replace missing teeth or to help secure a bridge, partial denture or denture. In most cases there is a restoration that needs to be placed on top of the implant that will replace the crown portion of the tooth or attach to an appliance. Treatment times and cost can vary greatly. Please contact our office to schedule a consult if you think that this treatment could benefit you.
What's New at Wildern Dental
What is a Dental Implant?
Child’s First Dental Appointment
Proper care of your child’s teeth and gums includes brushing and rinsing, as well as routine dental exams. Please visit our new page on dental care for children:
This page will discuss the needs and timing of dental care for children. If you have any questions about your child’s dental care, please contact us at 616-364-8716 or through our contact page.
Dentures or not?
We are re-running this post because we get asked this question at least three times a week. Many people think they need dentures when in fact they do not.
With dentures you lose taste sensation, speech changes, there is a change in temperature sensation and chewing ability. SO many people say why don’t I just have you pull my teeth.
A full set of denture with extractions can also be expensive.
These are reasons to consider a denture.
- When there is severe tooth decay
- When there is severe periodontal or gum disease
- When there are both
- When there is no better less expensive option.
Often people come in wanting a denture but in reality they only need a few fillings and perhaps a couple crowns. Dentures become an affordable dental alternative to teeth restoration when the amount of work needed to restore the teeth becomes too costly. Then it can be cost effective as well as a good alternative to proceed with dentures or partial dentures.
Grand Rapids Dental Referral Program
Here’s an easy way to make $25
We love getting referrals and we reward our patients who refer their friends, neighbors, coworkers or relatives. For each patient referred you will receive a $25 gift card or a $25 credit on your account, your choice!
We also view your referral of friends and relatives as the best compliment you can give to us. Everyone needs a good dental team, so everyone wins!
We sincerely appreciate your referrals and are happy to reward you!
Is Snoring a problem?
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring occurs when air travels faster through a narrow tube than through a broad one. This rapidly moving air causes the relaxed soft tissues of the throat to vibrate. It is this vibration that creates the sound of snoring.
This narrowing of the upper airway can be due to large tonsils, a long uvula (the small piece of soft tissue that dangles from the soft palate over the back of the tongue) or excessive flabby tissue in the throat. In other cases, nasal congestion from allergies or deformities of the cartilage between the two sides of the nose can contribute to narrowing of the airway.
However, the most common cause of narrowing of the upper airway is a tongue muscle that becomes too relaxed during sleep. When relaxed, the muscle is sucked into the back of the throat with each breath taken.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway completely collapses, blocking airflow into the lungs. The Sleep Apnea Cycle – falling asleep, jaw relaxing, airway collapsing, unconsciously awakening with a gasp, falling back asleep – can repeat itself 50 or more times per hour during the night.
By keeping the airway open, air travels more slowly, reducing throat vibrations and thus reducing or stopping snoring. One of the most effective ways to keep the airway open during sleep is by holding the tongue forward.
An easy-to-use product to accomplish this is the aveoTSD® (Tongue Stabilizing Device), a simple, low-cost treatment for problem snoring. The aveoTSD gently suctions onto the tongue, preventing it from falling back into the throat and obstructing the airway.
The Silent Nite® sl positions the lower jaw forward using special S-shaped connectors that are attached to upper and lower splints. This affordable device is flexible, thin and comfortable, and it exhibits documented clinical success in mitigating or even preventing the disruptive, unhealthy effects of snoring and sleep apnea.
Products available to combat snoring and OSA include the TAP® (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) or TAP 3 TL device, and the EMA® (Elastic Mandibular Advancement) oral appliance, which are all designed to keep the airway open and allow for air to pass.
Oral Treatment Devices
aveoTSD – The aveoTSD® (Tongue Stabilizing Device) is a simple, low-cost treatment for problem snoring. It works by gently holding the tongue forward using gentle suction, preventing it from falling back into the throat and obstructing the airway.
Silent Nite sl – The affordable Silent Nite® sl device is flexible, thin and comfortable for your patients, and it exhibits documented clinical success in mitigating or even preventing the disruptive, unhealthy effects of snoring and sleep apnea. It moves the lower jaw into a forward position, increasing space in the airway tube and reducing air velocity and soft tissue vibration. The connectors are easily interchangeable by the patient.
TAP – A constricted or collapsed airway causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The TAP® was designed to keep the airway open and allow for air to pass. It holds the lower jaw in the forward position so that it does not fall open during the night and cause the airway to collapse.
EMA – The EMA® helps promote a deeper, more restful sleep by preventing snoring and relieving the symptoms of OSA. EMA is designed to both advance the mandible and open the bite to allow for less restricted airflow during sleep. It has many options for advancement with five strap lengths and four different elastic tension options.
Start 2013 out right with a Dental Check-up
Good oral hygiene is important, not only for looks, but for general health as well. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular dental check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems!
Top 10 reasons to have a Dental Cleaning (according to about.com)
- To prevent oral cancer – Oral cancer screenings are done at every dental check-up.
- To prevent gum disease – Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss.
- To help maintain good physical health – Many medical conditions including heart attacks and strokes are linked to gum disease which can be prevented with regular professional dental cleanings as well as good home care.
- To keep your teeth for a lifetime
- To detect dental problems early – Treating problems early helps prevent more serious problems that can cost a lot more money, pain and time.
- To maintain good oral health
- To use your dental insurance plan
- To create a treatment plan – If you are diagnosed with problems in your mouth you will be given a treatment plan. Your dental professionals will help you plan your treatment and discuss financial options.
- To brighten up your smile – Your dental hygienist can remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. And she will polish your teeth to a beautiful shine!
- To prevent bad breath - Dental studies show that 85% of people with bad breath have a dental problem that is to blame.
Pediatric Dentistry (Childrens’ Dental Care)
Proper care of your child’s teeth and gums includes brushing and rinsing, as well as routine dental exams. Please visit our new page on dental care for children:
This page will discuss the needs and timing of dental care for children. If you have any questions about your child’s dental care, please contact us at 616-364-8716 or through our contact page.
Dr Wildern’s Bleach Kit Winner Announced
Congratulations to Natalie Glatz
We have once again done our tooth whitening drawing (Bleach kit drawing) and Natalie Glatz is the winner.
Merry Christmas Natalie
We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season!
Implant placement, Computer guided implant placement.
Grand Rapids Dentist Dr. Wildern attended a hands on Zimmer Computer Guided Implant course several weeks ago.
CT ( Cat Scan guided implant surgery) is one of the latest and rapidly increasing types of dental implant surgery.
It provide very precise information about a patient’s anatomy which allows us to place a Dental Implant in a very precise location with more predicable results.
We are very excited about this addition to our practice and will be providing additional articles in the future.
Dentist in Grand Rapids helping Murray Lake Hurricane Sandy Fund and troops.
Dear Dr. Wildern and Staff,
“Thank you for letting us bring in our Halloween candy into your office. The Teachers, Parents and staff thought it was the best idea! Thanks for the check you sent us. It was put towards our Hurricane Sandy Fund. The article below was in The Murray Lake Messenger and another article was in the Lowell Buyers Guide with your name and what your office did with the candy and the money you sent us. Thanks again!”
Missy
Murray Lake PE teacher Missy Harrison teamed up with Dr. Kent Wildern, a dentist in Grand Rapids, and collected “extra” Halloween candy from Murray Lake students. The candy was donated to military troops through Operation Gratitude. Dr. Wildern thanked the students for the wonderful donation of Halloween candy and letters for our military troops. The candy weighed in at 78 pounds! Dr. Wildern and his staff are also sending sugarless gum along with the candy as their donation to help encourage and support our troops. Dr. Wildern gave Murray Lake Elementary $1.00 a pound for the candy. This money will be donated to the Hurricane Sandy Fund.